Monday, December 20, 2010

Spreading the holiday cheer

AFA chapters around the nation are greeting the holiday season with various events and community activities:

In Kansas...
Dec. 4 - The Kansas Fry Chapter provided logistics meals for a FREE KS National Guard Band Concert and Soup Supper to approximately 250 community members. Chili, Ham and Beans and corn bread, and Vegetable Beef soups were donated by VFW, American Legion, Lions Club and AFA. A freewill donation collected $1,100 for the local Honor Flight trip to DC for WWII vets!

In Kentucky...
Dec. 5 - The General Dougherty Chapter (Louisville, Ky. Chapter 407) in conjunction with AFSA 482, donated to the 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky Air National Guard’s Family Support Group's annual Christmas party for the Children of the Air Guard. Chapter President Jack Giralico described the event as “a real treat.”

Some of the children have a parent deployed and will be missing them for the holidays. And nearly all of them have had a parent deployed at least once in the past year. But the annual Christmas party gave them a special event to participate in.






*****


In Wyoming...
Dec. 6 – The Cheyenne Cowboy Chapter participated in the F E Warren Spouses’ Club Cookie Launch, which provides cookies for airmen who remain in the dormitories during the holidays due to mission requirements.

The Cheyenne Cowboy Chapter is the catalyst for providing this multitude of cookies, over 6000, to facilitate this effort. The efforts is a superb way to demonstrate to the support and care and that they are being thought of during the holiday season.

The cowboy chapter is a regular participant in recognizing veterans. On Christmas Eve, several of the chapter members visit all the residents and patients at the Veteran’s Administration Center and present poinsettias, candy canes and canteen certificates. This program is a great program that highlights the chapter’s respect, appreciation and support for our veterans.

The Cowboy chapter also hosts a program called “Treats for Troops,” furnishing more than $1,000 worth of treats for personnel on duty in the capsules and at 24-hour work centers on Christmas and New Year’s Day.

The 90th Missile Wing traditionally hosts a Christmas event for the entire base and civilian invitees. The Cowboy Chapter proudly hosts many of the airmen to attend this holiday function. This one-of-a-kind function is attended by more than 700 individuals.

The Cowboy Chapter virtually hosts all functions involving the spouses and children of deployed personnel. On Dec. 13, the Warren Spouses Club held their annual Christmas Function, and the AFA Cheyenne Cowboy Chapter presented each participant with a gift to take home.
*****


In Utah...

Dec. 9 - The Salt Lake City Chapters 235, 236 and 237 collaborated with Air Force JROTC cadets from Clearfield High School and Northridge High School; and Air Force ROTC cadets from the University of Utah in the annual Caroling at VA SLC Regional Hospital and Utah Veterans’ Home.

Clearfield High School SASI and former State President Kit Workman played the part of a well-stuffed Santa, handing out new white socks filled with fruit and hospital-approved "goodies" to many, many patients and residents, and, as always, a "good time was had by all!"


*****


In Arizona...
Dec. 14 - The Prescott Goldwater Chapter in Arizona, along with members of the Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings organization from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, decorated the Extended Care Unit at the Northern Arizona VA Health Care Center. This is an annual event that has been going on for the last ten years and is much appreciated by the patients and the VA staff.
*****

No comments: